TEMPERING PRINCIPLE WITH PRACTICALITY.

Rockford has long been a struggling city, and it's trying all the usual tricks to do something to make people interested in visiting and spending money.  That includes a Friday night public market on the riverfront, near a brewpub, and, at least before the house arrests, there were live concerts and merchants staying open late to induce people to do some shopping to go with their exotic snacks and expensive coffees.

Then came first the house arrests, with Illinois governor J. B. Pritzker (D-Chicago) doing what all the thickly settled state Democrats did, and after that came the civil rights protests that turned into a month of rioting.  Winnebago County State's Attorney M. H. Ross has worked to draw a distinction between peacefully calling attention to grievances and inconveniencing people to make a point: "it ceases to be a peaceful protest when it looks more like a riot."

It was probably in that spirit that the park district and Rockford police designated a protest zone near the city market.

Joe Marino Park, which is owned and operated by the Rockford Park District, will remain open and is the designated location for protesters. The expansion of the perimeter was made along with the Rockford Park District and Rockford Police Department.

East State Street will remain open and no one will be allowed to impede traffic, according to the Rockford Police Department.

“These perimeters are set up to ensure a safe environment for the community to convey their messages and those to patronize the vendors at the city market,” according to the Rockford Police Department. “Those who violate the law causing a breach of peace or infringing on other people’s rights, outside of the designated protest area, will be subject to arrest.”

I'm not a fan of free speech zones, as they've become a politically charged tactic by higher education administrators to control who gets to say what where, ostensibly to create an intellectually safe environment (and to tame foot traffic?) but in practice to create an intellectually sterile environment.  The designation of a park adjacent to the city market might have been the least bad option, given the tendency of the current crop of protesters to block traffic, holler at people through bullhorns, and otherwise behave obnoxiously.  So far, there are no reports of protesters bringing hockey sticks or fireworks with them, the way peaceful protests emerge along the west coast.

The State's Attorney, however, has provided a set of principles by which local authorities are enforcing the protest zone.

“The First Amendment encompasses rights that are applicable to everyone. Consequently, no one has the right to infringe on the rights of others while exercising their First Amendment Rights. On Friday August 7, 2020 parameters were established to provide a safe environment for all individuals who attended the City Market area. These parameters designated areas for “peaceful assembly” and also areas for the City Market vendors and patrons. Under the Fourth Amendment individuals have the right to the pursuit of happiness which encompasses conducting their businesses in a safe environment. Individuals who were arrested and charged on August 7, 2020 will have their cases adjudicated through the criminal justice process. All individuals charged with offenses are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law. Everyone must realize that we live in a law and order society and for the most part the more than 280,000 residents of Winnebago County understand this. I will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that everyone has a safe environment in which to share their messages and conduct their businesses.”

You'd think the protesters would wise up.  Is it not possible to call attention to your grievances without intimidating shoppers and perhaps stepping on your own message?